Chef Vicky Ratnani talks about his culinary experiences

Intensively trained and extensively traveled, globetrotting Vicky Ratnani is the Corporate Chef for Fine Dining at Aurus in Mumbai. He describes his cuisine as `modern global` incorporating influences from culinary experiences acquired in the USA, Europe, the Caribbean, Middle East, Australia and the Far East. A quintessential food-lover since childhood, he uses a combination of such wide-ranging ingredients and national tastes that make his dishes unique in character and flavor and sets him apart from his peers. “My main aim has always been to ‘redefine the local’. It’s all about deconstruction of classic food followed by a reconstruction of those same ingredients, but in a contemporary style.” he says.

He has been around the world seven times on board the Queen Elizabeth 2, the Queen Mary 2, and the Queen Victoria amongst others. He served as the Chef-de-Cuisine for Britannia Restaurant & Kitchen- the largest restaurant at sea. The potpourri of flavours and the riot of colours that kept him at sea helped him move up the ranks. “It’s been a humbling experience and getting to serve the best in the Industry is definitely an experience. My food is simple: it has colour, texture and flavour," explains Chef Vicky who plans to open his own chain of restaurants in the city soon.

He is constantly on the move to satiate his hunger for all things new and quench his thirst for knowledge. “If I ever write a book, I’d call it ‘The world on your plate’ because of all my travel experiences. It’d be a potpourri of interesting cuisines from all over the world.” Chef Vicky also makes regular appearances on television and radio. He currently hosts the highly popular food show on NDTV Good Times Gourmet Central and is soon coming out with another show catering to only the vegetarians!